Thread by @RachelAzzara

1. This piece by @davidsiders demonstrates a staggering lack of self-awareness by journalists that has become an all-too common and harmful theme in the Trump era.

‘The race for governor has turned into a scam’ - POLITICO apple.news/AnxQ-3pgbQ1mbL…

2. The press salivates over every new scandal coming out of the WH. DT’s abnormalities and authoritarian threats dominate #MSM outlets. Breadcrumbs from the Mueller investigation are turned inside and out. Quite simply, DT dominates the press. He likes it that way.

3. In the 2016 election cycle, the press began to engage in a practice that played no small role in the rise of Trump - an inconsistent and hypocritical style of coverage that helped mold the electorate into views steeped in false-equivalency.

4. It really comes down to this. You can’t spend all your time talking about how abnormal things are with the GOP and Trump admin and then insist on providing political analysis through some lens of ‘normality’ when discussing #Democrats.

5. In 2016 Dems had a message and progressive platform, but the press chose to focus all attention on the Trump clown show and ‘emails’ - only to later say the Dems failed at messaging. This article is doing the same thing.

6. The DT administration IS a threat to democracy and the #GOP’s defense of his actions IS shockingly irresponsible. And discussing these issues DOES increase your readership and viewership - people are legitimately upset and scared, and, yes, even entertained by the drama.

7. For all these reasons, the press is going to make it the primary focus. But, to then criticize candidates as only being ‘anti-Trump’ and not discussing the minutiae of their policy differences is absurd.

8. It’s rare these days to see Dem lawmakers getting coverage from the press on policy. IF you give them coverage at all, it’s to weigh in on Trump. So much so, that grassroots activists are making a point of amplifying Congressional Dems who are being shutout by the press.

9. To pretend the media has no role in forming the interests and narrative for the electorate is ridiculous. If you want constituents to be interested in policy then make policy differences the focus over the next several months. That’s your job.

10. Just spare us these ridiculous talking points about a lack of messaging. If you want the country to hear about the #DemPartyPlatform then cover it.